Le Puy des Oufs: the hilarious new parody by Éric Judor not to be missed!

Le Puy des Oufs is announced as the must-see new release of French cinema in 2026. This unprecedented project, under the direction of Éric Judor, skillfully blends parody, humor, and a medieval-fantasy universe to offer a funny film and a hilarious show that stands out in current French production. Described as an original cross between The Office and The Lord of the Rings, this feature film offers a unique immersion into the world of LARP (live-action role-playing). Right away, here is what catches our attention:

• A storyline mixing heroic fantasy and everyday situations, offering a feeling both epic and deeply human.
• A respectful approach to LARP culture, without falling into easy caricature.
• A dynamic cast bringing a new energy to French comedy.
• An ambitious production that prioritizes the authenticity of sets and costumes for a unique visual result.

These elements pave the way for a more detailed analysis of the film, its artistic ambitions, and its production context.

A bold blend of heroic fantasy and contemporary comedy at the heart of the parody Le Puy des Oufs

Le Puy des Oufs is primarily presented as a fully assumptive parodic comedy, at the crossroads of genres rarely explored in French cinema. The film tells the story of Alexandre, a divorced father who ventures into a medieval-fantasy LARP to reconnect with his daughter, who plays the Queen of the Orcs. This narrative structure serves as a basis for a deployment of humor that finely oscillates between benevolent mockery and sincere immersion.

Through this plot, the film addresses several important dimensions:

• The confrontation of two worlds: the highly codified world of live-action role-playing games and the often mundane reality of family relationships.
• A satire of heroic fantasy clichés through the lens of situational realism infused with “office” humor, aptly recalling the series The Office.
• Improvisation scenes that energize the whole and reinforce the lively and unpredictable nature of LARP.

This rare blend broadens the scope of French comedy by anchoring it in a pop culture universe often reserved for specialized niches. The use of a natural setting, close to Auvers-sur-Oise, brings a visual balance avoiding the trap of cheapness and enhancing immersion.

Concrete example: the film mobilized more than 150 extras, including about thirty equipped with personal costumes from the LARP community, which confers an authenticity rarely achieved in productions with comparable budgets. This approach also reflects respect towards the LARP community and its codes, inviting the viewer to discover a dynamic and rich subculture.

Éric Judor, director and lead actor, between street theater and epic cinematic ambition

With Le Puy des Oufs, Éric Judor does not limit himself to being the film’s leading star. He also signs the direction, a dual role revealing his desire to fully invest in this project. On several occasions, he expressed wanting to produce a film that, while remaining a comedy, adopts an approach as polished as it is innovative.

Judor describes his method as a form of “street theater filmed in an epic way.” For him, it is about avoiding the pitfall of the low-budget look sometimes associated with parody productions of the fantasy genre, especially in a context where the audience is increasingly visually cultured and demanding. This is reflected in special care given to the sets, costumes, as well as the staging.

Moreover, the intent behind this project goes beyond mere entertainment. Éric Judor aims to encourage viewers, even the most reluctant, to discover the world of LARP. It is an inclusive and educational approach, avoiding gratuitous mockery and valuing the practice as a true way of life.

Here are some key points explained during filming:

• The desire to offer a show that unites enthusiasts and also attracts a new audience.
• A subtle mix between rigorous writing and controlled improvisation, aiming to capture the spontaneity inherent to LARP.
• The search for a narrative balance that supports the pacing of the film throughout its duration, while providing effective comic breaks.

A carefully chosen cast to amplify the humor and charm of the new French release

The casting of Le Puy des Oufs relies on strong figures from French cinema and television, ensuring a chemistry both professional and refreshing. Alongside Éric Judor, we notably find Alexandra Lamy, whose role contrasts visually and thematically with Judor’s, as evidenced by the first official photo where she sports a contemporary look opposite the blond elf portrayed by Judor.

This dual dynamic serves humor based on the collision of worlds. The rest of the cast brings together talents from diverse backgrounds:

• Hafid Benamar, already recognized for his roles in comedies like Platane.
• Marc Labrèche, who brings his touch of absurdity and offbeat humor.
• Maxime Biaggi, content creator and rising figure of the web, to inject a young and contemporary energy.

The interactions between these actors allow the film to juggle between situational humor scenes, plays on pop culture references, and flavorful dialogues, while avoiding locking itself into mere time-consuming and repetitive “one-liners.”

The choice of this cast reflects a clear strategy: to attract a wide audience, from fans of French comedy to curious geek culture followers. This ideal diversity of profiles adds extra depth to the screenplay and enriches character portrayal.

Sets and production that bring credibility and authenticity to the parodic comedy

The shooting of Le Puy des Oufs took place in autumn 2025, at the majestic site of the Abbey of Val, near Auvers-sur-Oise. This location was chosen for its authenticity and its natural setting, ideal for plunging into a medieval atmosphere without artifice.

The production bet on a pragmatic yet ambitious approach: mobilizing up to 150 extras, including about fifty who are LARP enthusiasts providing their personal costumes. This allowed bringing true visual diversity and depth in crowd scenes, while faithfully illustrating the spirit and specific details of LARP gatherings.

Added to this is the impact of these choices on the visual and atmospheric quality, a point that will distinguish this comedy from many parodies that rely too openly on cardboard sets. The result offers a fair balance between historical authenticity and comic lightness.

Element	Particularity	Impact on the film
Shooting location	Abbaye du Val, Auvers-sur-Oise	Contributes to authentic immersion
Extras	150 including 50 from the LARP community	Realistic and varied for crowd scenes
Costumes	Personal fabrics and armor	Respects the visual codes of fantasy
Staging	Between improvisation and rigorous direction	Captures lively and rhythmic energy

This particular care taken in production shows a clear ambition: to create a credible and inviting universe for a comedy that is not limited to a mere accumulation of gags.

A singular cinematic project born of a long maturation and carrying a new dynamic for French comedy

The story of the Le Puy des Oufs project dates back over a decade, with a concept imagined as early as 2012 by Cédric Prévost. After a stint with the Problemos project (2017), starring Éric Judor – a work that had a mixed reception in cinemas but a nice resurgence on Netflix – this new film marks a return marked by maturity for its filmmaker-actor.

This long development period reflects patient work to refine a delicate balance between originality, accessible humor, and respect for the explored universes. Such gestation is notably explained by the desire not to offer an ephemeral parody, but a dense and complete film, capable of crossing generations and viewer profiles.

The release schedule is now firmly set for 2026, even if the exact date remains to be confirmed. The challenge remains significant: how to succeed in appealing both to LARP purists, heroic fantasy aficionados, and a broader audience fond of popular comedy?

Here are some reasons why this funny film could deeply mark the current landscape:

• It innovates by integrating a form of intelligent humor, playing on contrasts between universes.
• It breaks new ground by combining improv, collective play, and structured screenplay.
• It highlights a little-known facet of French popular culture, with kindness.
• It benefits from the dual perspective of Éric Judor, actor and director, focused on a result both artistic and festive.

The hilarious show promised by Le Puy des Oufs invites us to linger on this new facet of French humorous cinema, a field still largely to be explored in 2026.